On March 29, 2026, Carla and Shelly took on the Aquabike at the Lavaman Waikoloa Triathlon—bringing months of LYNX swim training into open water, wind, and race-day pressure.
Meet the Athletes
Carla
Carla joined LYNX in Fall 2025 after years away from structured training. With some sprint triathlon experience 15 – 20 years ago, she set a bold goal: go from “couch” to an Olympic-distance Aquabike.
Shelly
Shelly joined in January 2026 after being encouraged by Carla. A returning swimmer after more than 15 years, she stepped back into the water – and into racing – with a mix of curiosity, nerves, and determination.
From Idea to Commitment
For Carla, the idea started casually at a neighbour’s dinner party. A conversation about Lavaman turned into a commitment—and quickly, a realization that this wasn’t going to be easy. Shelly’s motivation was different but just as powerful. Their goals weren’t about podiums but about being capable. They both wanted to feel prepared and strong.
The Swim: Where Confidence Showed Up
Standing on the start line in windy Hawaiian conditions, both athletes brought different backgrounds—but shared the same quiet confidence that comes from consistent preparation.
For Shelly, who had been most nervous about the distance and swimming in the ocean, that confidence was built by swimming the course beforehand with a local group. Once in the water, their focus shifted quickly from nerves to execution—and this is where their training showed up.
Both athletes leaned on the fundamentals they’d built week after week at the pool: controlled breathing, rotation, and the ability to stay relaxed under pressure. Carla reflected that the consistency of swimming twice a week, combined with the variety in sessions—from practicing mass starts to learning how to draft and completing short race-style efforts—left her feeling confident and prepared heading into open water. Even the small details, like having coach support and guidance before race day, helped her approach the start line with clarity and confidence.
There were still challenges…especially contact from other swimmers and seeing so many athletes off course making them question their line. But, neither let these things derail them. Instead, they stayed composed, trusted their training, and kept moving forward.
By the time they exited the water, the experience had shifted completely. What could have been overwhelming ended up being enjoyable for both. Carla described the swim as quiet and peaceful, while for Shelly, it was simply better than she had imagined. A highlight was seeing tropical fish, turtles and a stingray while swimming!
Onto the Bike: Carrying Momentum Forward
Both athletes came out of the water energized, and it showed as they settled into the early part of the ride. The opening kilometres felt steady and controlled, with each of them finding a rhythm that reflected the work they had put in leading up to race day.
For Carla, that strength wasn’t accidental. The consistent training she’d put in at The Doctrine Cycling Studio showed up early, giving her the confidence to stay composed and trust her effort, even as conditions began to shift.
Because as the course unfolded, the real challenge revealed itself.
The Hawaiian winds didn’t ease in, they demanded attention! Gusts and crosswinds forced both athletes to stay focused and adapt in the moment. At times, the effort felt almost surreal. Shelly mentioned:
“I felt like I was standing still – in my granny gear going downhill!”
This is where the mental side of racing took over. Carla leaned on the work she’d done all winter, reminding herself there was a reason she had put in the time, while Shelly stayed steady, working through the discomfort and staying committed to the ride.
Rather than letting the conditions dictate the outcome, both athletes stayed patient and kept riding their own race. Carla began to see that patience pay off after the turnaround, steadily moving past other riders. Shelly came away with a clear sense of where she can continue to build, already looking ahead to hill repeats this summer.
The bike wasn’t just something to get through. It was another opportunity to test their training. They stayed composed under pressure and kept moving forward when things got hard.
More Than a Race
This race wasn’t just about what happened on race day. It was about everything that led up to it. For Shelly, the biggest accomplishment wasn’t the finish line, but the decision to return to the sport and commit to the process:
“I’m most proud of the months before this race… returning to swimming at 57 and arriving here with my friend.”
For Carla, it was the shift from uncertainty to confidence and arriving at the start line knowing she was ready. What made that possible wasn’t just the training itself, but how it was done.
It was the structured bike sessions at The Doctrine Studio, group swims with LYNX, and the consistency that comes from being accountable to others—coaches who guide, teammates who support, and a community that makes it easier to keep going when things feel hard.
Carla and Shelly didn’t just complete their races. They showed what’s possible when you commit to the process—and do it in an environment that helps you stay in it.
What began as an idea became something much bigger: a shared experience and a meaningful return to the sport. I’m excited to see what they take on next! Thank you ladies for sharing your journey. ~Coach Mary
